December 20 / 15.35 Ludlow

15.35

Good To Soft

Tanners Cava EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 4
  • 15 runners
RTV
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Tanners Cava EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

4/6 (Won)

  • Win: £1.67
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 18-U3 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Uttoxeter bumper winner before finishing eighth in the Grade 2 at Aintree; was about to mount his challenge when jinking and unseating three out on hurdling debut at Exeter but didn't do much wrong at Taunton, other than find two superior (finished clear of the remainder); the winner bolted up again last week; brings the best form credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Go To War

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

After a brief stint over fences he got back on track in beating 14 rivals over 3m at Windsor (soft) under a positive ride; however, there was a further reminder of his inconsistency when he dropped away tamely at Haydock in February; what does heighten interest is a pretty good record when fresh.

8/1

7th

9

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Go To War

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Henderson

Back to form with a bang returned to hurdles when fending off Doughmore Bay in a valuable 3m handicap at Windsor (soft) 27 days ago; allowed to bowl along at the head of affairs in that contest and there's possible competition for the lead from the likes of Red Dirt Road, Stone's Throw and Stay Away Fay here; still no surprise were he to progress again, though.

9/1

1st

14

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Go To War

10st 4lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Two chase efforts this season leave a doubt over his current form; disappointing in last hurdles attempt so there are enough reasons to oppose him in this competitive race.

20/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 334

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Tongue tied the last twice, finishing an 11l third of 16 over C&D (good to soft) before probably performing to a similar level behind a top prospect at Huntingdon (good); has brighter prospects than a good many of his rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Jour DEvasion

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Completed this season's hat-trick over shorter trips, in lower grades and on softer surfaces; won over a similar trip to this over hurdles but on soft ground that seems to suit him ideally; a good-ground renewal of the Grand Annual proved far too tough last month.

10/1

16

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jour DEvasion

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

3-4 over fences, the wins coming over 2m1f/2m on heavy/good to soft; clearly knows how to get the job done and he's on an upward curve, but he's 5lb higher than for a narrow win in a small field at Warwick last time and today is a much tougher test of his credentials.

16/1

1st

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:05 Warwick

Jour DEvasion

11st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Bang-in-form 7yo who ended 2025 with convincing wins at Bangor (2m1f, heavy) and Chepstow (2m, good to soft); shooting up the weights but won't mind what the weather does here and commands respect in current mood.

6/4

12/1

  • Place: £9.90

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
£46,000 3yo; third foal; half-sister to 2m2f/2m4f hurdle winner Dorisa Queen; dam AW bumper/2m4f hurdle winner, sister to bumper, 2m5f hurdle and 2m6f chase winner Carlitos; tongue tied; from a leading yard, market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

14:45 Fakenham

Lindy Reilly

11st 3lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Disappointed in her next three starts after a promising hurdles debut but, having been off for 284 days, she got off the mark in a maiden here (2m, good to soft) last month despite racing too freely and not jumping fluently; still unexposed, but will need to settle better back up in trip.

13/2

6

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

14:45 Fakenham

Lindy Reilly

11st 3lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Disappointed in her next three starts after a promising hurdles debut but, having been off for 284 days, she got off the mark in a maiden here (2m, good to soft) last month despite racing too freely and not jumping fluently; still unexposed, but will need to settle better back up in trip.

13/2

1st

8

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 3

12:50 Fakenham

Lindy Reilly

11st 1lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, towards rear but in touch with leaders, headway before 4th, prominent with one circuit to go, not fluent 4 out

11/4

Form: 49-332

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Placed in all three starts this season, latterly lacking the gears of the winner in a C&D maiden three weeks ago (opening-race contender The Famous Five was in third); vulnerable to anything with real potential but should make presence felt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:23 Uttoxeter

Gentleman Jacques

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Made all to win by 12l at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) in January, despite racing too freely, but was hit quite hard by the handicapper for that and was safely held on both subsequent outings (2m5f/2m7f).

14/1

6th

3

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Gentleman Jacques

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Didn't settle but still recorded an easy Wincanton win under Harry Cobden in January (2m4f, heavy); contested lead and 11lb rise found him out latest, and at least one of those will be an issue again here.

8/1

7th

11

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Warwick

Gentleman Jacques

11st 3lb

J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker

T: Emma Lavelle

Made it 14th-time lucky under rules with a powerful front-running display at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) in January, winning by 12l; rider's 10lb claim useful in view of his 11lb higher mark, but whether things will work out so favourably this time remains to be seen.

7/2

Form: 58-62

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
150-1 when showing huge improvement to finish second in a 2m novice at Warwick (soft); the winner was tailed off at Plumpton on Monday but the third has since been placed in a Sandown handicap; each-way claims with Harry Atkins again on board claiming 10lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Myfanwys Magic

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

prominent, briefly led after 2nd, lost position after 3 out, weakened 2 out

4/1

6th

2

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Myfanwys Magic

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

prominent, briefly led after 2nd

4/1

3rd

2

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Myfanwys Magic

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Unwise to blame soft ground when well held in the new cheekpieces at Warwick last time (3m2f); a repeat of his second at Ludlow in November would give him a shout, though that was at 3m.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 27-8

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
All three bumper runs were at Hereford and easily the best was on debut when second in a small field; doesn't look up to this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

11th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:38 Huntingdon

Chevington

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alastair Ralph

Lightly raced 7yo who was returning from a long absence when second on his handicap debut at Hereford a few months ago; has since been taken out on account of soft ground, so the better spell of weather won't have hurt; considered off the same mark.

5/1

2nd

1

12th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:18 Ludlow

Chevington

11st 1lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Alastair Ralph

Unexposed 5yo who displayed clear promise in three 2m novice hurdles last season (good to soft/soft), notably here in December behind a smart one; that was on soft ground and yet he's bypassed two recent handicaps on account of the ground being too slow; his form claims are up there at this level.

8/1

Form: 7-27

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never threatened an easy winner at Hereford last month and dropped out very quickly after a mistake back there three weeks ago; has to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

25th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

18:15 Huntingdon

Saxons Lane

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Free-going gelding who showed some promise when second on his hurdling debut at Hereford (2m3f, good) last November but has been well below that level in two subsequent starts; initial mark looks workable and it would be no surprise to see him improve now entering handicaps.

6/1

2nd

3

25th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

18:15 Huntingdon

Saxons Lane

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Free-going gelding who showed some promise when second on his hurdling debut at Hereford (2m3f, good) last November but has been well below that level in two subsequent starts; initial mark looks workable and it would be no surprise to see him improve now entering handicaps.

6/1

7th

8

20th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

Saxons Lane

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Never threatened an easy winner at Hereford last month and dropped out very quickly after a mistake back there three weeks ago; has to raise his game.

12/1

Form: 6/

Last run: 807 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished last in a bumper for Jamie Snowden; after unseating mid-race in his first point he refused to race in the second; now hooded on this return to rules action for a respected new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

6th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:55 Market Rasen

Top Of The Bay

11st 11lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Generally solid for this yard, winning his latest two races on officially good ground, at 2m5f and 2m3f, just prevailing over a well-treated one here latterly; up in trip but the first win was on Carlisle's stiff track so he could stay this far; considered.

3/1

3

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

20:10 Market Rasen

Top Of The Bay

11st 11lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Gentle progression this spring culminated in April's Carlisle win (2m5f, good), and possible excuses both starts since (boiled over; 2m1f too sharp); no RPR better than 91 when there's been give in the ground.

8/1

6

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:10 Cartmel

Top Of The Bay

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Came good for Sam England at third attempt, readily winning Carlisle chase (2m5f, good) by over 8l last month, and reportedly boiled over in the preliminaries before this month's poor run at Hexham; can be dangerous if back on song for this return to hurdling.

7/2

Form: 6P

Last run: 4 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in an Irish point; tailed off in an Ascot bumper and pulled up in a Hereford novice only four days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

28th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

21:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Johns Dream

10st 2lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Sheila Lewis

Two modest runs since career-best second in Hereford handicap in March (3m1f, good to soft); cheekpieces now tried.

16/1

7th

8

12th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

17:13 Ludlow

Johns Dream

10st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Beaten a neck by Fantomas when second of 16 on handicap debut at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) in March; flopped when co-favourite off this 5lb higher mark at Stratford three weeks ago, when jockey reported that he hung right-handed, so reverting to this right-handed track may help.

8/1

Form: F8-5

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Was still in second (though well held by the winner) when falling inside the final furlong on his debut in a Chepstow bumper; not sure if that's knocked his confidence as he was tailed off next time and then trailed home last on recent hurdling debut at Ffos Las.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:20 Hereford

Duc Du Rene

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Set to finish second before falling in closing stages of Chepstow bumper in February 2023 and made fairly encouraging hurdles debut in November; suffered heavy defeat the following month and was sold out of Evan Williams' stable for 3,000gns in February but is worth a glance in the betting before this stable debut.

33/1

12th

1

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:20 Hereford

Duc Du Rene

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Set to finish second before falling in closing stages of Chepstow bumper in February 2023 and made fairly encouraging hurdles debut in November; suffered heavy defeat the following month and was sold out of Evan Williams' stable for 3,000gns in February but is worth a glance in the betting before this stable debut.

33/1

10th

2

20th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

Duc Du Rene

11st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Was still in second (though well held by the winner) when falling inside the final furlong on his debut in a Chepstow bumper; not sure if that's knocked his confidence as he was tailed off next time and then trailed home last on recent hurdling debut at Ffos Las.

33/1

66/1

Form: 0740-3

Last run: 219 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
It was a low-grade handicap in which she made the frame at Southwell in May (2m, good) and unlikely to be winning a race of this nature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

13th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

17:20 Hereford

My Virtue

10st 9lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Mel Rowley

Good-ground winner off 6lb lower last season and mostly running well this campaign over hurdles and fences; latest run in a handicap chase needs forgiving but couldn't rule out.

5/1

8

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Uttoxeter

My Virtue

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Stuck to her task pretty well at Cartmel (2m5f, good) last month and has now finished second on two of her last three starts but the forecast rain is probably not helpful here; tongue-tie left off today.

14/1

2nd

8

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:35 Cartmel

My Virtue

10st 12lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Mel Rowley

Didn't really fire at Stratford last month and now 0-4 over fences but that run came just one week after a pretty good second there (2m3f, good to firm) and she's had a longer break this time; a possible.

8/1

Form: 87

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has made a low-key start in two novice hurdles (good/soft) and now goes in a tongue-tie; one for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

21st Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Special Dragon

11st 1lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Badly hampered and (latest, behind Calli Black) set a bit much to do from rear in the two lesser runs which bookend last month's fine Uttoxeter second to a now 112-rated rival (2m5f, good); remains of interest.

3/1

5th

3

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Worcester

Special Dragon

11st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Only a 6yo and was clear of the rest when second to a rejuvenated winner at Uttoxeter last month (2m5f, good); chance.

3/1

3

17th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

19:31 Uttoxeter

Special Dragon

11st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Sole win over hurdles came with similar trip and ground, and she showed she'll be just as effective over fences when third of seven at Haydock (kept on again after being badly hampered) four weeks ago; the youngest in the line-up and commands major respect.

5/2

Form: 5-6

Last run: 222 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a sister to stable's high-class staying hurdling Mighty Man; tailed off in both his bumpers and reportedly bled in the latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

28th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 123y

Class 3

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Scrumpy

11st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Henry Daly

Dam sister to high-class Mighty Man; beaten 38l, however, in his first bumper, reportedly bled next time and pulled up on hurdle debut latest.

50/1

0

9

20th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

Scrumpy

11st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Henry Daly

Out of a sister to stable's high-class staying hurdling Mighty Man; tailed off in both his bumpers and reportedly bled in the latest.

33/1

6th

4

12th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

17:08 Market Rasen

Scrumpy

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Out of a sister to stable's high-class staying hurdling Mighty Man but was beaten about 38l when fifth on debut at Hereford (good to soft) in November and hasn't raced again since.

16/1

Form: 0P

Last run: 6 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown zero in a bumper here and a Taunton novice hurdle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

17:15 Stratford

Darquesse

10st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Well beaten a massive odds on all five hurdling starts (including a seller); out of the weights for this handicap debut and very difficult to enthuse over; hood removed after one use.

40/1

12th

10

14th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

17:05 Southwell

Darquesse

10st 11lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Well beaten a massive odds on all four hurdling starts (including a C&D seller); now hooded.

100/1

12th

10

14th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

17:05 Southwell

Darquesse

10st 11lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Well beaten a massive odds on all four hurdling starts (including a C&D seller); now hooded.

100/1

Form:

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Weak in the betting for a debutante from this yard when beaten nearly a distance in a bumper at Hereford (2m, good; 22-1).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

14

13th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Warwick

Kattegat

11st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Dan Skelton

Towards rear in bumper at Hereford (2m, good) in November and unseated at the fifth when 200-1 for a novice hurdle at Ludlow (2m, soft) last month.

100/1

0

12

20th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

Kattegat

10st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Weak in the betting for a debutante from this yard when beaten nearly a distance in a bumper at Hereford (2m, good; 22-1).

20/1

11th

14

21st Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:45 Hereford

Kattegat

10st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

£15,000 3yo; half-sister to winners Midnight Chill (2m-2m4f chase) and Aviewofthestars (2m/2m4f hurdle), from useful jumps family; major yard; market support should be heeded.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.60
Straight Forecast £3.42
Trifecta £62.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Go To War

Telegraph:

Myfanwy's Magic

Daily Record:

Gentleman Jacques

RP RATINGS:

Go To War

TOPSPEED:

Go To War

POSTDATA:

Go To War

WEST COUNTRY:

Go To War

The Times:

Go To War

The Guardian:

Go To War

Daily Mail:

Go To War

D Express:

Go To War

Daily Mirror:

Go To War

The Sun:

Go To War

The Star:

Go To War